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FCC Officially Approves SoftBank, Sprint, Clearwire Deals
Will a Stronger Sprint Result in a Healthier Market?

Confirming recent leaks from the agency, the FCC today officially announced that they have approved SoftBank's acquisition of Sprint, as well as Sprint's acquisition of the remainder of Clearwire. Approval of the deals was unanimous, with Republican and Democrat Commissioners alike insisting that the deal would help improve competition in the wireless sector, and lead to increased wireless broadband expansion.


The increased investment in Sprint's and Clearwire's networks is likely to accelerate deployment of mobile broadband services and enhance competition in the mobile marketplace, promoting customer choice, innovation and lower prices," acting FCC boss Mignon Clyburn said in a statement.

As they're usually inclined to do, the FCC picked a slow post holiday Friday to release the news, in order to lessen attention on the move. The merger didn't come with any serious, meaningful conditions, and Sprint won't have to divest any spectrum.

"Just two years ago, the wireless industry was at the doorstep of duopoly, but with these transformative transactions, we are one step closer to a stronger Sprint which will better serve consumers, challenge the market share leaders and drive innovation in the American economy," Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said in a statement.

With Sprint often acting more and more like AT&T and Verizon in recent years just to keep pace, it might be worth waiting before popping the bubbly. More providers doesn't magically equate to more competition, though you have to think that a healthier Sprint (and possibly a Dish/T-Mobile merger) has to be better than AT&T and Verizon utterly dominating a smattering a smaller and perpetually unstable carriers.
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josephf
join:2009-04-26

josephf

Member

What Stronger Sprint?

The additional spectrum Clearwire gives Sprint does not nearly bring them on par with Verizon and AT&T.

Softbank gives them additional financial backing. While that can help them avoid bankruptcy, that angle doesn't enhance competition.

Sprint needs more bandwidth, more spectrum. Then we can start talking competition.

swintec
Premium Member
join:2003-12-19
Alfred, ME

2 recommendations

swintec

Premium Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

said by josephf:

The additional spectrum Clearwire gives Sprint does not nearly bring them on par with Verizon and AT&T.

Between sprints 1900 and 800 spectrum along with the huge gobs of 2500 spectrum that clearwire has, they are sitting on a huge amount. I believe from what i have read this puts them in better shape than either of the big two spectrum wise....say what you will about 2500 spectrum though which I think is why they will limit it for the metro areas since such huge amounts of bandwidth is available with it.

josephf
join:2009-04-26

josephf

Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

The higher frequency spectrum doesn't give as good penetration as is less useful and valuable than the lower frequencies that Verizon and AT&T own.

So even if Sprint technically has as much spectrum with its higher spectrum ownership, it doesn't provide as much utility as the lower bandwidth its competition is utilizing.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

said by josephf:

The higher frequency spectrum doesn't give as good penetration as is less useful and valuable than the lower frequencies that Verizon and AT&T own.

So even if Sprint technically has as much spectrum with its higher spectrum ownership, it doesn't provide as much utility as the lower bandwidth its competition is utilizing.

The Nextel shutdown give Sprint a lot of spectrum in the 800mhz range to create building penetrating capability for LTE. But it may take Sprint a couple years to take advantage of that.
mob (banned)
On the next level..
join:2000-10-07
San Jose, CA

mob (banned)

Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

said by FFH5:

said by josephf:

The higher frequency spectrum doesn't give as good penetration as is less useful and valuable than the lower frequencies that Verizon and AT&T own.

So even if Sprint technically has as much spectrum with its higher spectrum ownership, it doesn't provide as much utility as the lower bandwidth its competition is utilizing.

The Nextel shutdown give Sprint a lot of spectrum in the 800mhz range to create building penetrating capability for LTE. But it may take Sprint a couple years to take advantage of that.

Network Vision makes it more of a quick patch and restart of hardware at each cell site. It's going to happen faster than many think - and faster than the phones can be sold.
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

xenophon to josephf

Member

to josephf
said by josephf:

The higher frequency spectrum doesn't give as good penetration as is less useful and valuable than the lower frequencies that Verizon and AT&T own.

So even if Sprint technically has as much spectrum with its higher spectrum ownership, it doesn't provide as much utility as the lower bandwidth its competition is utilizing.

2500 is not good by itself but will be great to augment 800/1900. When LTE is added to 2500 and 800 they'll prioritize 2500 first, if not available use 1900 and if not available, use 800. This makes 2500 very very useful, especially in urban areas where there tend to be many sites together anyway.

Many here are making uninformed broad comments. Sprint will clearly be in position to compete better - 800 will give penetration, 2500 will give capacity as needed. They only need to deploy 2500 LTE when 800/1900 is near capacity.

swintec
Premium Member
join:2003-12-19
Alfred, ME

swintec to josephf

Premium Member

to josephf
said by josephf:

The higher frequency spectrum doesn't give as good penetration as is less useful and valuable than the lower frequencies that Verizon and AT&T own.

So even if Sprint technically has as much spectrum with its higher spectrum ownership, it doesn't provide as much utility as the lower bandwidth its competition is utilizing.

With Sprints tri-band phones this will be handled efficiently and seamlessly. Metro areas where bandwidth is an issue, the clearwire 2500 spectrum will be utilized via towers, smaller hot spot type towers, etc. Get out of range of that, 1900 comes in to play. Beyond that, the 800 spectrum picks up the slack. Large cities has typically been where bandwidth issues arise and with Clearwires spectrum it will take huge burdens off of the normal 1900 and 800 network.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to josephf

Member

to josephf
The 2500 spectrum is fine for using in large metro areas. These are the same areas where you're likely to have the most congestion which the amount they have will be more than enough to alleviate. Sprint has much more 2500 MHz spectrum than Verizon has AWS spectrum which Verizon plans on using to alleviate congestions in metro areas.

Also Softbank money means Sprint can competitively bid on the 600 MHz auctions next year. 600 MHz will be even more valuable than 700 MHz.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode to josephf

News Guy

to josephf

The additional spectrum Clearwire gives Sprint does not nearly bring them on par with Verizon and AT&T.

IIRC acquiring Clearwire's spectrum would put them in possession of a trove of spectrum on par with AT&T and Verizon -- if not greater.

»qz.com/37300/with-clearw ··· ed-data/

Execution is another matter.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

said by Karl Bode:

The additional spectrum Clearwire gives Sprint does not nearly bring them on par with Verizon and AT&T.

IIRC acquiring Clearwire's spectrum would put them in possession of a trove of spectrum on par with AT&T and Verizon -- if not greater.

»qz.com/37300/with-clearw ··· ed-data/

Execution is another matter.

Yes, having the spectrum and actually deploying it are 2 different things. Sprint has not shown in the past the ability to actually improve their coverage areas. Maybe with SoftBank as the owner that go slow forever attitude will change.
uberjon
join:2010-02-10
Kane, PA

uberjon

Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

said by FFH5:

said by Karl Bode:

The additional spectrum Clearwire gives Sprint does not nearly bring them on par with Verizon and AT&T.

IIRC acquiring Clearwire's spectrum would put them in possession of a trove of spectrum on par with AT&T and Verizon -- if not greater.

»qz.com/37300/with-clearw ··· ed-data/

Execution is another matter.

Yes, having the spectrum and actually deploying it are 2 different things. Sprint has not shown in the past the ability to actually improve their coverage areas. Maybe with SoftBank as the owner that go slow forever attitude will change.

I think thats the hopeful route this merger will take. If sprint ramps up tower upgrades/installs to compete with verizon coverage wise it would definitely change the mobile phone industry in a good way

Squire James
@embarqhsd.net

Squire James to josephf

Anon

to josephf
"Stronger" in the sense of "not as weak as Sprint was". Which is basically what "stronger" means. They don't have to be on par with the likes of Verizon and AT&T to be competitive... they just have to be less rotten than the other two and they can go far!

Neverwas
@comcast.net

Neverwas to josephf

Anon

to josephf
This was never about enhancing competition. It's about Sprint trying to take on more than what they can afford. If you read recent comments from Dan (about a month or two ago) you will find that he's made comments about actually RAISING FEES and PRICES to make more $$$. This is about them being another AT&T and VZW. If they wanted to be competition they wouldn't raise their prices and would be dropping them. Hell- they even raised their prepaid prices AFTER they complained that they couldn't compete if T and TMO-USA merged. Talk about Sprint not giving a damn about anyone.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: What Stronger Sprint?

I don't know where people get this notion that companies can "just lower prices". I'm sure if Burger King sold Whoppers for $1 they outsell McDonald's Big Macs. They'd also be 6 months away from bankruptcy.

Sorry but the primary goal for any business is to make a profit. Even someone opening a business for the enjoyment of doing what he loves has to make a profit unless that person was already wealthy and the business is more of a hobby. That situation does not apply to 99.999% of businesses.
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT
·Frontier FiberOp..
Asus RT-AC68

BiggA to josephf

Premium Member

to josephf
It depends on investment. If they want to drop the money into the network to build it out to where AT&T and Verizon are, they could really crank the screws down on them, as they have the spectrum to do it, and do it in style. However, in their current state, they don't have much to offer.

Bill Van
join:2013-02-07
Norfolk, VA

Bill Van

Member

AT&T has a lot to worry about after today's FCC decision.

AT&T was very vocal when Sprint announced they were interested in buying the rest of Clearwire they didn't own. AT&T kept griping that Sprint would have a huge spectrum advantage. It was a huge win today for Sprint when the FCC didn't put conditions or regulations on their substantial spectrum advantage. And also keep in mind that Sprint has far fewer users than Verizon and AT&T. I would guess we will see unlimited data for at least another 5 years.
TBBroadband
join:2012-10-26
Fremont, OH

TBBroadband

Member

Re: AT&T has a lot to worry about after today's FCC decision.

don't count on that. Recent articles on other sites quoted Dan and others at Sprint saying they were looking for other ways to make more $$ on the backs of customers. including news fees and higher prices.
majortom1029
join:2006-10-19
Medford, NY

majortom1029

Member

Re: AT&T has a lot to worry about after today's FCC decision.

said by TBBroadband:

don't count on that. Recent articles on other sites quoted Dan and others at Sprint saying they were looking for other ways to make more $$ on the backs of customers. including news fees and higher prices.

All they have to do is raise unlimited data like $10 a month. I know most people would pay that for unlimited data.
TBBroadband
join:2012-10-26
Fremont, OH

TBBroadband

Member

Re: AT&T has a lot to worry about after today's FCC decision.

But it has been stated before; its not truly unlimited either. Maybe on your phone, but otherwise, not a chance with Spent.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to Bill Van

Member

to Bill Van
said by Bill Van:

And also keep in mind that Sprint has far fewer users than Verizon and AT&T. I would guess we will see unlimited data for at least another 5 years.

But if the unlimited data attracts at&t and Verizon subscribers to Sprint then that would then use more data thus reducing the odds of Sprint continuing to have unlimited data as congestion issues will arise.

Bill Van
join:2013-02-07
Norfolk, VA

Bill Van

Member

Re: AT&T has a lot to worry about after today's FCC decision.

I figure it will be close to 5 years for Sprint to catch up to AT&T and Verizon sub numbers probably longer. But now that Sprint owns more spectrum than AT&T + Verizon combined I believe they will focus most of their efforts on adding subs and continue offering cheaper plans than both of them.
Quote: With an acquisition, Sprint would own a mind-boggling 184 MHz of spectrum, which is more than AT&T (77MHz) and Verizon (83MHz) combined. More spectrum means more bandwidth, and more bandwidth ultimately could ultimately mean faster wireless speeds for Sprint’s mobile customers.

Btw At home I'm seeing consist speeds (speedtest.net) over 30Mbps - 35Mbps down and between 8Mbps - 9Mbps up. It's incredible.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: AT&T has a lot to worry about after today's FCC decision.

said by Bill Van:

Quote: With an acquisition, Sprint would own a mind-boggling 184 MHz of spectrum, which is more than AT&T (77MHz) and Verizon (83MHz) combined.

And yet some want to shut out at&t and Verizon of the 600 HZ auctions and basically let T-Mobile and Sprint get it all.

More spectrum means more bandwidth, and more bandwidth ultimately could ultimately mean faster wireless speeds for Sprint’s mobile customers.

2500 MHz is really only good for metros areas. So areas like mine won't see that spectrum be pushed out thus won't get the benefit of it. Also that spectrum won't help anyone unless there are devices than can actually use it.

Btw At home I'm seeing consist speeds (speedtest.net) over 30Mbps - 35Mbps down and between 8Mbps - 9Mbps up. It's incredible.

Most likely due to so few people with Sprint service and 4G smartphones.

atuarre
Here come the drums
Premium Member
join:2004-02-14
EC/SETX SWLA

atuarre

Premium Member

RE

Sprint won't get better until they get sufficient backhaul to ALL of their towers. 3G/LTE alike.

You can have the spectrum of all the wireless carriers combined but that doesn't mean shit if you don't have sufficient bandwidth.
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

xenophon

Member

Re: RE

Yeah, all carriers will have more of a backhaul challenge than spectrum. But even if Sprint can only do 2-6Mbps, I'd rather have that unlimited than 100Mbps with a 5GB/month limit. Smartphone apps and light tethering don't need more than a few Mbps, latency matters more and all carriers have about same LTE latency.
NiteSn0w
join:2010-12-24

NiteSn0w to atuarre

Member

to atuarre
Sprint is currently deploying fiber, microwave, or ethernet to all of their towers. They currently have fiber connected to more than 50% of their cell sites (Just under 20,000 sites currently). Sprint will have high speed backhaul on all cell sites within 6 months and with upgrades progressing at a rate of 2,600 upgrades per week, they will be done with Network Vision years end.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to atuarre

Member

to atuarre
said by atuarre:

Sprint won't get better until they get sufficient backhaul to ALL of their towers. 3G/LTE alike.

You can have the spectrum of all the wireless carriers combined but that doesn't mean shit if you don't have sufficient bandwidth.

At best 10 MHz spectrum on LTE can do 150 Mbps on a cell tower sector. Since a cell tower has 3 sectors that is 450 Mbps. If a carrier doesn't have at least 450 Mbps backhaul something is wrong.

HarleyYac
Lee
Premium Member
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ

HarleyYac

Premium Member

roll of the dice

Verizon was great .. but Pricey.. I switched..to Sprint .. hope it pays off
Lee
hescominsoon
join:2003-02-18
Brunswick, MD

hescominsoon

Member

Re: roll of the dice

said by HarleyYac:

Verizon was great .. but Pricey.. I switched..to Sprint .. hope it pays off
Lee

if you ahve 4g yes it will..but if you don't..well you might regret things..

HarleyYac
Lee
Premium Member
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ

HarleyYac

Premium Member

Re: roll of the dice

NYC is up (unofficially) North Jersey its mostly Miss (I am about 20 miles NW of the city)
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to HarleyYac

Member

to HarleyYac
Verizon is premium product. Too many people either want a BMW at Kia prices or get a Kia and are mad that it isn't as good as a BMW.
podstolom
join:2010-01-25
Wichita, KS

podstolom to HarleyYac

Member

to HarleyYac
said by HarleyYac:

Verizon was great .. but Pricey.. I switched..to Sprint .. hope it pays off
Lee

If I changed to Sprint, I'd be paying $20/month MORE than I'm paying on Verizon.

HarleyYac
Lee
Premium Member
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ

HarleyYac

Premium Member

Re: roll of the dice

Really with unlimited data ?

Selenia
Gentoo Convert
Premium Member
join:2006-09-22
Fort Smith, AR

Selenia

Premium Member

Could be a good thing

Lots of mvno and such compete well on price. A third premium carrier adds to the 2 existing options. It may vastly improve service on MVNOs that depend on Sprint.

tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Gulfport, MS

tc1uscg

Member

But lets not forget...

What people are missing here is the biggest plus (and I'm sure to get some DISH/Sprint fan boys on my case), but this kept DISH in the outhouse WHERE THEY BELONG!

Was at a retail store yesterday. All I will say is that some of the "talk" of improvements was having more retail stores to deal with customer issues faster and better training to ensure your not dealing with some kid making 8 or 9 bucks an hour trying to explain how the phone works, etc.. At least it's a step. As far as the network issues. It's Sprint. They will ALWAYS be the redheaded stepchild.
NiteSn0w
join:2010-12-24

NiteSn0w

Member

Re: But lets not forget...

The network issues will be mostly resolved by 2014.
nonymous (banned)
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ

nonymous (banned)

Member

Re: But lets not forget...

Son is putting $16 billion into the network next couple years.
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

old_wiz_60

Member

How much..

did Softbank,Sprint, and Clearwire pay the FCC under the table to get the deals approved? And how much did Congress make on the deal? Campaign contributions of course.

The cable/telcos must be so excited about the incoming FCC chair - they finally get one of their own lobbyists in charge of the FCC. Consumer protection will become Consumer Predation.

MarkM
Premium Member
join:2004-03-22
Saint Peters, MO

MarkM

Premium Member

so what happens with the sprint nascar

so does this mean that the sprint nascar are going to have the rules changed to where they have to drive the opposite direction, change the stirring wheel position to the other side of the car and only drive honda, toyota, nissan, and etc?